"Listen while I tell you a tale of defiance. The tale of a mortal who dared to look Fate in the eye and say… no."
Many say death comes unexpectedly. Like a thief in the night, it creeps into ones bed and chokes every hope and dreams.
Many say death's fingers are slender and cold, and its teeth sharp and strong for it sucks every dream away.
Alas, all are wrong for Esmeray stood at death's door and it was neither cold nor slender. No, it was warm and came like a raging bull, destroying everything she had ever loved.
Like the saviour to the cross, she was offered as a sacrifice for a sin she knew not of. Like the devil, her flesh burnt until she was nothing but an empty shell.
Blood, the stench of blood filled the air, and crows circled the night sky.
****
48 HOURS EARLIER
A dark-haired girl looked out of a window in a dimly lit room looking at the night sky.
The moon seemed to shine on her pale skin, and her red stained lips turned up with a smile.
She sighed at she stared at the darkness, wondering what was behind it. It had been a month, a whole month since she had last opened her room window and two since she stepped outside.
It was dangerous, or so her mother said.
It wasn't as though she believed her. Of course she did, she had seen the signs but for once she wanted to go outside even if it was for some minutes. She wanted to be free.
As she looked deeper, a figure seemed to emerge from the darkness and walk towards their house.
"Mum, I think something is approaching." The girl watched as bright red eyes stared back at her.
"Esmeray, are you mad? Get out of there!"
Her mother pushed her out of the window and shut the window. The house shook as an invisible force collided with the building, and the candlelight went off by themselves. The movement kept on, and the girl and her mother held unto each other while muttering a prayer.
After some moments, the house stopped shaking and everywhere became quiet.
Her mother untangled herself from her and stood up. She lit a lamp, and her fear stricken face was illuminated. "I'll be back. Stay here."
Esmeray nodded, and her mother took the lamp and went outside the bedroom door.
A shrill scream was heard not far off, and Esmeray shook in fear at the possibility that it could be her mother. She stood up, deliberating on whether to run outside or obey her mother's instructions when her mother came back inside, her face as white as a sheet.
"Mum, what's wrong?" The girl asked as she took little steps towards her, imaging the worst had happened.
"The Smiths, they took their daughter."
Esmeray closed her eyes and fought back the tears. She understood what it meant. Last week, it had been the Potters who lived two doors away from them, and now, it was the Smiths. Soon, it'll be her.
Unless they brought a sacrifice.
"A town meeting is going to be held tomorrow morning, and I'll have to be there."
"Do you have to go?"
"Esmeray, you know the answer to that question."
Of course, her mother had to go. If she failed to go, it would mean death.
Esmeray watched her mother pick up the items that had fallen from the attack, and she fought back her anger. Why were they forced to live like this in constant fear? But she knew the answer. It was because of the curse. The bloody curse plagued her town every thousand years, and the only way to stop it was to offer a sacrifice.
A human sacrifice.
No one knew the origin or where these demons of the curse came from. All they knew was that one day, darkness came over the land and inhabited the forests. Some of the villagers had ventured into the woods to investigate, but no one came back to tell the tale. After that, blood was found in every part of the village, and then the killings began.
The villagers had consulted a medium, and they were told to offer a suitable female sacrifice to appease the demon. Only then could they have eternal peace.
But there was a problem. The demon was the one to select the female they wanted, but for the past 15 years, no one had been chosen, leading to the demon killing whomever it pleased.
"Why are they holding a town meeting again? It's not like anything will be solved. Another innocent girl will be picked to be a potential sacrifice, and the demon will still reject her."
"Child, desperation can drive a man crazy."
"Mother, let's run away." Esmeray said for the millionth time, and as usual, her mother refused.
"If that was possible, we would have done that." Her mother clenched her fists and looked at her daughter, who was a striking resemblance of her father. "Esmeray. How old will you be next month?"
Esmeray stared at her mother and wondered why she asked such a ridiculous question. "I'll be 19."
Her mother sighed, and the fatigue that weighed her down each passing day seemed to lift from her shoulders . "Thank heavens." She looked at the window once more and then back at her daughter. "Why was the window still open? You know the rule, Esmeray."
"It wasn't 8 pm yet. And the room was stuffy."
"Even if it's 5pm, close everywhere up."
"Mother—"
"Do I have to repeat the rules to you?!"
"You don't have to—"
"Then why do you keep doing foolish things!" Her mother yelled. Her mother rubbed her temple and looked at her sternly. "Say the rules."
Esmeray flinched and took a step back. "Rule one, be indoors when it is dark. Rule two, live in constant fear. Rule three, beware of the dark, for that is where the devil resides." She looked at her mother once she had finished saying the rules which she knew by heart. It was a criteria that once any child could talk, they must be able to recite and abide by the rules.
Her mother smiled slightly and placed her hand on her daughter's slender shoulder. "You know I only want the best for you?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Go to sleep. I'll be out before you awaken, so make sure you stay inside until I come back and if I'm not back by 5 pm?"
"I'll lock the door and shut the windows."
"Promise me that no matter what, you won't go outside tomorrow?"
"I promise."
Her mother looked at her daughter one last time and took in her appearance. "I love you, darling."
"I love you too, Mother."
The next morning, her mother stopped at her room before she headed out.
Esmeray stirred in her sleep as she heard her name called.
"Yes, Mama?" She answered sleepily.
"May the heavens protect you, my child."
Esmeray was too sleepy to reply, not like it mattered. She was going to see her once she was back.
***